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Cosmic Ray Induced Ion Production in the Atmosphere

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Abstract

An overview is presented of basic results and recent developments in the field of cosmic ray induced ionisation in the atmosphere, including a general introduction to the mechanism of cosmic ray induced ion production. We summarize the results of direct and indirect measurements of the atmospheric ionisation with special emphasis to long-term variations. Models describing the ion production in the atmosphere are also overviewed together with detailed results of the full Monte-Carlo simulation of a cosmic ray induced atmospheric cascade. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the present state and further perspectives of measuring and modeling cosmic ray induced ionisation in the terrestrial atmosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lebedev Physical Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect, 53, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    G. A. Bazilevskaya, M. B. Krainev, V. S. Makhmutov, Y. I. Stozhkov, A. K. Svirzhevskaya & N. S. Svirzhevsky

  2. Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, Oulu, Finland

    I. G. Usoskin

  3. Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    E. O. Flückiger, L. Desorgher & R. Bütikofer

  4. University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 243, Reading, RG6 6BB, UK

    R. G. Harrison

  5. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia

    G. A. Kovaltsov

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  1. G. A. Bazilevskaya
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  2. I. G. Usoskin
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  3. E. O. Flückiger
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  4. R. G. Harrison
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  5. L. Desorgher
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  6. R. Bütikofer
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  7. M. B. Krainev
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  8. V. S. Makhmutov
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  9. Y. I. Stozhkov
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  10. A. K. Svirzhevskaya
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  11. N. S. Svirzhevsky
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  12. G. A. Kovaltsov
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Correspondence to G. A. Bazilevskaya.

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Bazilevskaya, G.A., Usoskin, I.G., Flückiger, E.O. et al. Cosmic Ray Induced Ion Production in the Atmosphere. Space Sci Rev 137, 149–173 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9339-y

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